The Angels were not only smart; they were quick.
On the day baseball's free agent market opened, they signed Bobby Abreu to a new, two-year contract with a club option for a third year.
Give Tony Reagins and Mike Scioscia credit. They recognize a key component when they see one. Abreu was probably the team's overall MVP this past season, especially when you include the playoffs.
His contributions at the plate, in the dugout and in the clubhouse were staggering. He single-handedly changed the Angels' offensive personality, both by example and in conversations with many of the club's young players.
Patience hadn't been a major trait of this team until Abreu arrived. He showed how you can hit (.293, 103 RBIs, 96 runs) and still be selective (93 walks, .390 OBP) at the same time. It seemed as though he was in the middle of almost every important rally all summer long.
A bargain at a one-year $5-million price tag, his value clearly went up after his 2009 performance. But early on, Abreu, who'll be 36 in March, made it clear that he loved playing for this team and this organization. Lots of players say that, however. A lot of them change their minds when the new rounds of negotiating start.
Happily for the Angels, Abreu stuck by his word. The club rewarded him with a substantial raise (a reported $19 million that includes two years at $9 million and a potential $1 million buyout), and now that they know he'll be back, they can concentrate on trying to re-sign John Lackey and/or Chone Figgins, the two other pivotal free agents they'd like to have back.
Neither figures to be this easy. Or this quick.
But for now, the organization can celebrate the fact that Abreu, the consummate professional, will be back in Anaheim for at least two more years.
-- Steve Bisheff